Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Mattala Rajapaksa Airport, known for being among the least-used in the world, lies inland about 18 km from the town of Hambantota and shares the region with two much busier areas: the Ambalantota coastal strip, home to Sri Lanka's largest resort, and the Bundala and Yala national parks. Those wanting sea and a golf course head for the coast, 30-35 minutes by car; those arriving for a safari can instead sleep already immersed in the park's atmosphere, in a tented camp at Bundala, saving the later transfer to Yala. Neither area can be reached on foot from the terminal: every trip needs a taxi or the hotel shuttle, to be booked in advance.

Hambantota and Ambalantota

Airport area · About 30-35 km along the A2, 30-35 minutes by car; no direct bus, only taxi or private shuttle.

Best for: Those wanting the sea and golf of the south coast without straying too far from the terminal.

Pros

Sri Lanka's largest resort, with a golf course and private beach, 35 minutes from the airport
Area with more choice of restaurants and services than the inland parks

Cons

Yala National Park remains 1-1.5 hours by car away, on top of the time already spent from the airport
Outside the resorts the area is sparsely built up: a car is needed for almost everything

Recommended hotels in this area

Shangri-La Hambantota: Sri Lanka's largest resort, set on 58 tropical hectares in Ambalantota with a golf course and private beach; about 35 minutes from Mattala Airport, the closest option compared with the 254 km from Colombo.
Ceylonta Beach Resort and Spa: 18 rooms on Beach Road in Sisilasagama, 5 minutes from the Shangri-La's Golf and Country Club; garden, spa and full breakfast included.

See more hotels in this area →

Bundala, between safari and lagoons

Neighbourhood · About 16-20 km from the airport, 25-30 minutes by car heading inland; here too there are no buses, only private transfer.

Best for: Those arriving for the safari who prefer to sleep already in the park's atmosphere, among lagoons and flamingos, before heading on to Yala.

Pros

Tented camp inside or on the edge of the park, with a naturalist guide and a Wildlife Department ranger included
Closer to the airport than Yala is, useful for those short on time

Cons

Yala, the best-known reserve, still remains about an hour from here
Tented accommodation, not suited to those seeking the comforts of a resort

Recommended hotels in this area

Mahoora Explorer - Bundala by Eco Team: Tented camp of 8 units inside Bundala National Park, with private bathroom and veranda; naturalist guide and government ranger included on every safari, about 8 km from the park.

See more hotels in this area →